Lead pencil



May 18, 1937.

F. J M DONALD LEAD PENCIL Filed July 6, 1936 Inventor 172272 cz's J/WJwzzzZzZ,

AHnrneys Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 2 Claims.

This invention relates to lead pencils and more particularly to a pencil of the type utilizing sections of lead which are inserted in the pencil and to be actuated either to be projected beyond 5 the tip of the pencil for writing or to be retracted into the pencil to protect the lead when it is not in use.

More particularly the invention is concerned with means adapted to be readily applied to a pencil of the type mentioned for indicating the length of working lead in the pencil at any time.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a pencil with parts broken away and illustrating the application with respect to the pencil.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the leadlength indicator.

Referring to the drawing by reference numerals it will be seen that 5 indicates a pencil of the type known as a magazine pencil, said pencil being of a well-known construction, and including among other parts a barrel having a transparent section l and a tip section i. Also suitably mounted within the barrel is a lead holding and feeding assembly which includes among other parts a fixed tube 8 provided with a spiral slot therein and arranged within the tube 8 to rotate relative to the tube is a sleeve [8 provided with a longitudinal slot 15. Arranged within the sleeve I8 is the lead carrying tube 9 that is also provided with a slot l6 extending longitudinally thereof for a portion of its length. As is wellknown, at one end the tube 9 is contracted to retain engaged therewith the lead 6. In this construction of pencil a section of the barrel is rotatable relative to the remaining part of the barrel and the rotating section is suitably connected with the tube l8 in a manner well-known so that as the tube 18 is rotated the lead holding tube 9 will rotate therewith.

As is also well-known in this type of structure there is usually provided a rod which for the major portion of its length fits snugly within the tribe 9 in alinement with the lead 6 and has a laterally directed end that extends through the slots [6 and I and works in the slot I! of the spiral 8 in a manner to cause the lead holding tube 9 and the lead to feed towards the tip I of the pencil for advancing or feeding the lead.

However, in accordance with the present invention such rod as just referred to is dispensed with and in lieu of such rod there is provided an indicator indicated generally by the reference numeral II. i

As clearly illustrated the indicator II is formed from a single length of wire rod or the like and includes a main shank portion l4 which has a snug fit within the lead carrying tube 9' and which merges into a lateral projection 13 that extends through the slots l6, l5 and IT as shown in Figure 2 and this part l3 then merges into an expansible, contractible indicator band l2 the outer face of which may be enameled or otherwise provided as to be readily visible through the wall of the transparent section II] of the barrel of the pencil 5 Thus it will be seen that as the lead feeding mechanism is operated for projecting the lead 6 the band [2 will move lengthwise of the transparent section [0 of the barrel and the position of the band I2 within the barrel will indicate substantially the remaining amount of lead.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction, utility and advantages of an invention of this character will be had without a more detailed description.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a transparent section, a lead holder and feeder having a part working in the transparent section of said barrel, and a band arranged in the transparent section of the barrel and connected with said lead holder and feeder for indicating the working length of lead in the pencil.

2. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a transparent section, a lead holder and feeder having a part working in the transparent section of said barrel, and a lead length indicator arranged in the transparent section of the barrel and connected with said lead holder and feeder for indicating the working length of lead in the pencil, said lead length indicator comprising a band fitting within the transparent barrel section, said band having its end extending inwardly toward the center of the band and terminating in a shank section fitting axially within the said holder and feeder to move with said feeder.

FRANCIS J. McDONALD. 

